Liquid filling machine



Feb. l16, 1937. R. J. NoDQuls-r- 2,070,616 l LIQUID FILLINGy MACHINE I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan.` 19, 1934 INVENTO @uw Feb. 16,` 1937. R. E. J. NoRpQUlsT 2,070,616

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 19, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 4Patented Feb. 16, v1937- 4UNITED -s'IATEs PATENTv OFFICE l 2,0%,616y LIQUID FILLING MAcFImE Application January 19, 1934, Serial No. 107,396

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to liquid filling in containers or cans and has particular reference to machines for vacuum filling cans wherein the exterior Walls of the cans are protected against collapse by atmospheric pressure when their interiors are under the relatively high vacumn used as a step in the filling operation and this protection is afforded by a balance of air pressures on the two sides of the can wall.

H The invention contemplates the vacuumizing of the interior of the container or can at a high vacuum while simultaneously vacuumizing the space surrounding a major part of the can walls to effect a substantial pressure balance during the I; vacuumizing and filling operations so that the can walls are not subjected to distorting or collapsing influences.

An object of the invention is the provision of a vacuum can filling apparatus for temporarily 20 forming an enclosed airtight chamber surrounding a substantial part of ,the Walls of the can being iilled, the interior ofthe can and the interior of the enclosed chamber both being subjected to vacuum at one stepinrthe filling cycle, 25 the degree of vacuum being further controlled so that a substantial balanced pressure condition isY had on both inside and outside of theA intervening can walls. I

Another object of the invention is the provision 30 of can engaging jaws in a vacuum can filling machine which partially surround a can to be filled when the can is in filling position and which provide an exterior can Wall chamber that is airtight. This chamber is then subjected to substantially the same degree of pressure as the interior of the can just prior to and during the filling of the can, so that both the outside and the inside air pressures on the intervening can walls are the same and .after filling the jaws are removed from the can and the surrounding chamber then becomes non-existant without interfering with the further operations of the machine.

A further object of the invention is the provi- 'sion of a no-can-no-vacuum device -in such an apparatus for preventing communication between the source of vacuum and the can jaws in the absence of a can to be vacuumized and filled.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic valve associated with the .-,0 chamber forming jaws surrounding the can for admitting atmospheric pressure to the enclosed chamber when the can has been filled and is ready for release. I Numerous other objects and advantages of the 5:, invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a, preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a .3 part of a can filling apparatus embodying the present invention, parts of the apparatus being broken away and parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 2-2 in Fig. 1; m

and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing the same parts in a different position.

It is the present purpose in the drawings and specifications to illustrate and describe only suf- I5 ficient of an apparatus to give a clear understanding of the features of the present invention 'and to this end the drawings disclose a portion only of a vacuum can filling apparatus which may be merely a part of a more elaborate ma- 20 chine consisting for example of many filling units, all coordinated for high speed lling action.

Such a disclosure embodies a liquid tank 2| which is closedfat its bottom by a plate 22 located in a depression 23 formed in the bottom 24 of the tank. This tank is adapted to containY a filling liquid, indicated by the numeral 25, which is to be filled into a can.

Aseries of lling head units 3| may be secured to the outer wall of the tank 2|, one of these units being illustrated and described in detail. A unit is adapted to Areceive a can 32 which may be already partially filled with a solid contents 33 such for example as peaches or the like, and which is to be further filled rwith the liquid 25, which -liquid will be syrup in the case of a pack of peaches 1,'

The filling head unit 3| comprises a body 35 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is formed with a reduced neck 36 merging -into a vertically extending right 40 angled foot 31 by means of which it is adjustably secured to and carried on the outside wall of the tank 2|. Each foot part- 31 may be clamped in its adjusted position onvthe side wail of the tank in any suitable manner. The adjustment 45 of this unit as to height will be again referred to hereinafter and will be more fully described. at such time. Each unit body 35 carries al rubber ring 4| which is held in position inside of a holding 50 ring 42 by an inner clamping ring 43 threadedly secured to acentrally disposed hub 44 formed integrally with the under side of the unit body. The holding ring 42 is formed with a horizontal top 46 which rests against the under surface of 55 the todyiis.` The inside of the ring is provided with'a tapered surface and' the rubber ring 4| Ais pressed against this surface by a correspondingly tapered surface on the-outside wall of the clamping ring 43.

A topper block 5| is located on the under side -of the hub M and is held in fixed position by a dowel pin 52 and a screw 53. yfornied with an enlarged head 54 fitting within adepression 55 formed in the 'topper block and thishead cooperates with the topper block serving as an auxiliary topper.

'I'he rubber ring 4| may be formed with an ina -clined lower wall part 58 which is adapted to be can support unit 59 (Fig. 2).

' high vacuum be established in the'clamped can 40 projecting ribs 65.

prior to andduringlling. In order to prevent collapse or distortion of the can wall by the relatively excessive atmospheric pressure on the ou'tside of the can atfsuch a time. encircling and protecting instrumentalities are provided.. l

These instrumentalities comprise fixed and movable jaws. A fixed jaw Vlil is carried inthe can support unit and is secured to an upwardly extending lug 62. This jaw is slotted at the back (Fig. 1) and the lug 62 ts in the slot and is held in place by a plate 63 and a cap screw 64. Each plate 63 is extended on its two sides in 'Ihese ribsv engage within and have. free sliding vertical movement in grooves 66 formed on` opposite sides of spaced depending posts 61 which extend down from a disc the can body is mounted on a pin 12 carried in a lug 13 68 located under and movable with the tank 2|. A post 61 is positioned between each can support unit and each post therefore serves two adjacent units. n.

, The inner wall .of thefixed jaw 6| is hollowed out and corresponds in curvature to the exterior wall of the can/body and substantially ts the can when it is in place on the support. The can engaging wall of the jaw extends through substantially 180 and therefore practically half of surrounded by the Jaw.

A movable jaw 69 (Figs'. 2 and 3) is also provided for encircling the opposite half of the can when it is clamped for fllling. This jaw is secured to a Ushaped strap or holding member 10 .Y which is formed with curved arms 1| the ends of which extend on opposite sides of the lling head body 35. The end of 'each arm is pivotally (Fig. 1) formed in and projecting up from the There are two of these lugs on each filling head body, one on each side. The mogable jaw is thus hinged on the body and can bermoved on the pin 12 through practically 45 degrees.

In the raised position of the movable j'aw 69 (Fig. 3) it is substantially above theflling head and when in such position the .can 32 may be inserted on the can support unit 59. In itsother or lowered position (Fig. 2) the movable jaw is in can protecting position and cooperates with the fixed jaw 6| to completely surround the can for its vacuumization and filling.

This screw ls.

ably located within a bore body 35.\

ends ofthe rubbers 96, '|02 91,103 communicate and togetherconstitute an A shouldered bolt 10 and is held in fixed position by a nut 15.A A

cam roller 16 is rotatably mounted on the bolt.'

This roller is adapted to engage within a-cam groove 11 of a stationary cam 18 which in part surrounds the tank, filling head, etc., of the apparatus. As a filling head unit with its can is carried adjacent the cam its roller enters the cam groove 11. Thiscam track determines the hinging action of each movable jaw and its support. In this manner the jaw 69 is lifted (Fig. 3)

-and lowered (Fig. 2*)

Withv the jaw 69 in lowered position and engag-l ing the can, the lling head unit passes adjacent the end of the cam 18 and the cam roller 1 6 leaves the cam groove 11. 'I'he passing filling head unit now moves adjacent a second and this The ends of the cams time a horizontal cam 8|. 18, 8l overlap each other as illustrated in Fig. 1. The cam 8| now becomes effective in the following manner.

'14 is carried by the strap A cam roller 82 is mounted on a pin 83 secured in lugs 84 of a bracket85'which is pivoted on `shaft 86 held in lugs 81 projecting outwardly from ofthe jaw 69. A spring barrel 9| slid- 92 of the bracket 851 is interposed between the bracket and the jaw 69 and a spring 93 confined within the barrel exerts a pressure between these members 85, 69. This keeps the roller 82 in engagement with the cam bracket v8| and holds the jaw 69 in close engagement with the body wall ofthe can.

'The walls of the 'jaws 6I, 69 do not directly engage the can wall but these walls are held away the rear from the can wall .a relatiiely small distance.

The intervening space between the inside walls of the jaws and the outside walls of the can thus provided is utilized as an airtight chamber.

g 'I'he movable jaw 69 is provided with grooves 95 cut into its inner surface parallel to and adjacent its top and bottom edges. Rubber strips or circular half rings 96 are located in these grooves and project outwardly from the inner face of the jaw. When the jaw is holding a can the inner faces of these rings, directly egage the' can wall and extend through one half of its circumference. This forms a space 91 (Fig. 2) between the walls of the jaw and the walls of the can which extends vertically between the rubbers, this being nearly thefull height of the jaw and a distance corresponding to a large part of the can height.

The fixed jaw 6| is similarly provided with groves |0| (Fig. 3) cut into its inner face parallel to and adjacent its top and bottom edges. Otherrubber stripsior semi-circular members |02 are located in the grooves and these project from the face of the jaw in the same manner. The

inner faces of the rings directly engage the opposite sides of the can so that it is entirely surrounded adjacent its top end and adjacent its bottom end by abutting; semi-circular rubber ,l members together constituting a complete ringI 96-|02. l d A space |03 between the-wall of the jaw 6| and the wall of the can is thus provided which extends vertically between the rubber rings |02. When the jaws are fully closed'on the cans and the abut, the two spaces annular chamber extending entirely around the can wall. y i

To completely seal this chamber and make lt airtight the vertical front edges `of the jaw 6| on both sides are provided with groovesl 05 (Figs. 1 and 3). A rubber strip |06 may be inserted in each vertical groove and the outer faces of these strips engage the frontedges of the jaw 69 insuring a complete closure between the jaws at this position. Each groove at its end terminates in the vertical grooves I'and the rubber rings |02 which ll the grooves I0| may be formed integrally with the strips |06 of the grooves |05 as best shown in Fig. 3.

To insure an easy centering of the two jaws one with the other when closing on a can the edges ofthe jaw 6I are also formed with vertical projections |08 having inner inclined faces |09. These faces slope toward the rubbers |06 and guide the edges of the moving jaw 69 as it closes in toward the fixed jaw 6|.

The body 35 of the filling head unit 3| is cut through ina port I5 (Figs. 2 and 3) which passes vertically through it and through the topper 5|. This port provides a connection between the interior of a clamped can 32 when it is positioned in the unit and a channel |I6 formed -in a valve unit ||1, the latter being located on the body 35. This valve unit I1 has movement upon the upper surface of the body and shifts the position of itsv vchannel ||6, the engaged surfaces of the two members being substantially airtight in all positions of the valve.

The valve ||1 is Vmounted on the lower end of a hollow shaft ||8 journalled in a bearing ||9 formed in a bracket I2 I. This bracket is held in its seat |22 formed in the side'of the tank 2| by clamps` |23 which are held in position by nuts |24 threadedly engaged on the outer ends of studs |25 secured in the side wall of the tank.

The vertical adjustment of the filling head units 3| which has been previously mentioned is effected in a convenient manner and for this purpose there is provided a bolt |28 which is threadedly engaged within the inner portion or foot of the bracket |2|. This bolt is formed at its lower end with a headl29 which can turn in a T slot |3| cut in the foot 31 of the filling head unit. A nut |32 is preferably pinned to the upper'end of the bolt |28 to provide a convenient means for turning it to effect such adjustment.

At the vacuumizing stage of the filling operation when the valve channel |I6 is moved into vacuumizing position in registry with the port I5, the air is withdrawn from the interior of the can in the following manner.

The valve channel ||6 communicates ywith an elongated port |35 formed in the body 35. This port |35 zat its opposite end' communicates with liquid chamber of the tank.

` -one end opening into an inclined passage |36-formed in the bottom 24 of the tank 2 I, the inner lower end of which leads into a vacuum chamber |31 located below the This chamber |31 is suitably connected at all times with a source of vacuum andl any air entering the chamber is immediately withdrawn. vAt the time of vac-` uumizing, therefore, air from the clamped can 32 is withdrawn along the'path of communication comprising the po v||5, channel |I6, elongated port |35, passage |36 and the vacuum chamber |31.

The chamber combining the spaces 91, |03 V which surrounds the can wall is also vacuumized at the same time under vacuum and this balances thepressure conditions on both the can interior and exterior. To obtain such simultaneous action the jaw 6| is cut through with a horizontal port I4I (Fig. 2) the space |03 and thence into the chamber surrounding the can wall, the other end communicating with a vertically dis- The upper end of the port that the interior ofthe can is posed chamber or well |42 located in the side wall of the jaw and extending down from its top edge a substantial distance throughout the depth of the jaw. This well |42 is closed 'at the top by a screw plug |43. The bottom of the well |42 is perforated and an aperture |44 communicates with a short horizontal port |45. When thecan support unit 59 is in its raised position (Fig. 2)

the horizontal port |45 is aligned and in communication with a bore |41 formed as a lateral extension and located at the bottom of a vertically disposed passage |48, both bore and passage being disposed in the passage |48 is closed by a screw The passage |48 a horizontal port |59 extending substantially radially of the disc 68- and -the inner end adjacent a central open part |6|I ofthe disc is closed by a screw plug |62. Near the inner end of the port |59 a lateral, vertically extending opening or outlet |63 is cut through the disc wall and is in registry at all times with a vertical port |64 formed in the lower portionA 24 ofthe tank 2|. |64 leads into the plug |49.

vacuum chamber |31.

It is this chamber common to both the interior and exterior of the clamped and positioned can that insures at all times the saine pressure on the two sides of the can wall when both the can interior and the confined spaces 91, |03 on the can exterior are in open or unrestricted communication with the vacuum chamber.

the post 61. The top of at its top communicates with This open or unrestricted condition is not present if there is no can in place on the can supportunit 59 as there is then neither can interior nor can exterior as considered in the present connection. The movement ofthe valve ||1 prevents opening of the air line through the filling head unit 3|, but this forms no part of the pres'- ent invention Iand is therefore omitted. There is also provided a shut-off valve |1| '(Figs. 2 and 3) in the bottom of the wen |42 for controlling the communicating passages leading to the can exterior and this will now be described.

The valve I1I is formed on a stem |12 passing through the aperture and port |44, |45 andis mounted for sliding movement in a bore |13 formed in the lower part of the jaw 6|. The lower end of the steml |12 projects below the jaw 6| and carries a collar a spring |16 housed in a recess |11 formed in the bottom of the jaw. This spring tends to keep the valve I1I down against its seat in the bottom of the well |42 closing the aperture |44 'and thereby cutting off communication with the vacuum chamber |31.

Valve I1| is only opened when there is a. can

on the can support unit 59. A oating bar |8| is used to open the valve andis located within a slot |82 formed in the top of the can support unit. This bar is slotted at |83 and a pin |84 passes through the slot, its ends being secured in the body of the unit, Bar |8I may slide longitudinally and may also rock. on the pin |84 while conned within the slot |82.

The bar I8| is normally urged outwardly by a spring |86 disposed within a slot |81 formedin the can support unit 59. One end of this spring is secured to the bar andv its other 'end engages over a pin |88 held within the slot |81. This spring when unrestricted also pulls the bar I8I down against a bridge memberV |89 interposed between the front of the slot |82 and the slot |81. The pin |84 limits' the forward movement of the bar.

|15 which is engaged by 4 of an incoming can 32,

can supporting unit without touching it,

forward and in horizontal position within its slot; l'I'he bottom seam or rim of the can comes vagainst but does not move the foot |9| of the bar. It will be observed (Fig. '1) that the bar andslot are o' center and to one side of the can support, unit 59. When the can is placed on the can support itis well within the jaw 6| but lis not l fully seated.

'Ihe can is next raised by the support unit, the entire tank and lling head structure being continuously carried around on the axis located at the center ofthe tank. g As the can is raised the m/ovable jaw 69 (Figs. 2l and 3) under the influence of the cam track 11 begins to descend to-v wards and around the exposed part of the can body andthe flange at the open top of the can f strikes against .the rubber 4| and flange and rubber are then pressed into tight engagement as the can support reaches the end of its upward movement tion is established withthe vacuum chamber |31.. The valve |1| is still closed so that only the portv bar |8|' is in engagement with a depending leg from the jaw 6|.

At the same time the rising jaw 6| sliding along depending adjacent posts 61 and the block ribs .65 moving in the guideways 66 bring the port |45 into alignment with the bore |41 and communicais evacuated at this time.'l

- When the' movable jaw 69 iswnearly closed on the can it passes under the iniiuence of the cam 8| which forces it horizontally and inwardly, squeezing the two jaws tightly together and bringing the can into its fully seated'and central position. This last shifting movement of the can through the engagement of its lower can seam and the oiset portion |9| of the bar |8| slides the latter back and moves it just enough to open the valve, |1| inthe following manner.

' The offset portion |9| (Fig. 2) on the rear of the |92 of a bell cra lever |93 as long as the bar is in a.- horizont l position within its sloty |82. This bellcrank lever is pivotally mounted on a stud |94 secured in a lug |96 which projects down A second leg |96 of the bell crank lever extends. back and under the lower end of the valve stem |12. When the jaws are fully closed on the can the last slight movement of the, can and the bar |8| rocks the bell crank lever and opens the valve |1|.

H\Openinglof the valve |1|. the communication between the chamber formed by the `conined spaces 91, |03 and the vacuumz chamber |31 and the former is vacuumized. Coincident with this action the valve ||1 establishesecommunication between the vacuum chamber |31 andthe inside of the can. In this manner both the interior and exterior vpartsozl' a clamped can are vacuumized and. a balanced pressure condition ismaintained on both sides of the can walls; preventing collapse or distor-r tion of the canwhile filling which follows in the"V regular manner. l K v When a can has been filled with the liquid from the tank 2|. and its valve |21 has been restored to its former closed position, it is ready to re- `top of a can support vunit'59 jaw under and ready immediately opens y leased-from the rubber 4| At such time the interior of the `iilled can is open to atmosphere.

The can has now reached a place in its circulai path of travel with the revolving tank and .th filling head unit where it moves adjacenta stationary cam 20| (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted on a stationary frame part of the machine. The front end of the bar |8| engages this cam and rides up an inclined face of the cam. This action pivots the bar on its pin |84, lifts its front end, depresses its rear end, and withdraws the oiiset portion |9| from engagement with the seam of the can. The bell crank lever |93 under the action vof the spring |16 immediately rocks on its pivot, and the valve |1| snaps into closed position, cutting off communication between the vacuum chamber |31 and the. exterior wall of the can.

Just before the roller 82 leaves the cam 8| the cam surface recedes and the pressure exerted on the movable jaw 69 is relieved so that the bracket 85 moves back a slight distance away from the the inuence ofthe spring 93.. This action uncovers an air port 205 formed in the wall of the jaw which is held closed during the vacuum'izing. and lling just described by a small pad carried on a spring barrel' 206 which constitutes a vent valve for thecan wall spaces 91, |03. This barrel is slidably held within a bore 201 formed in the upper part of 'the `bracket 85. The spring barrel is provided with anenlarged head 208" gages the cam groove 11 and this is inmediately` followed by a lowering Aof the can support unit 59 which brngs the filled can back into' position or discharge. Since the top of the can is open to atmosphere there is no resistance to separation of the can ange from the iillingl head rubber wall 58.

' II, in the next cycle'there isno can placedonl be no engage the can support unit 59v there will ment of the bar |8| with'the pivoted lever |93 and the valve. |1| will remain closed throughout the cycle. 'Ihis feature constitutes thelno-cand no-vacuum operation'of the present invention. It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from .the foregoing-description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts with# out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore merely a preferred embodiment thereof:

I claim: j

1. In a-vacuumvlling machine for cans, the combination of y a rotary illling head unit forlling liquid into cans while in said unit, cooperating instrumentalities each adapted to partially surround and engage the side wallsof a said can to form an annular space between said instrumentalities'and the can wall, and means forA vacuum-n izing the interior of said can and the said annular spacev between said instrumentalities and the can wall to prevent can wall distortion.

2. In a vacuum filling machine for ca ns, the combination of a rotary lling head unit for illing liquid into cans while in said unit; cooperating instrumentalitieseach adapted to partially surround and engage the side walls of a saidy can described 'toprovide a closed annular chamberon the out-1li side of the can, and means for vacuumizing the interior of said can and the said annular chamber to prevent can wall distortion.

3. In a vacuum iilling machine for cans, the combination of a rotary filling headV unit for iilling liquid into cans while in said unit, means engageable with the side wall of a can for forming an annular chamber around a substantial part of the outside of the can wall, and means for simultaneously vacuumizing both the can interior and said annular surrounding chamber to maintain a pressure balance on both inside, and outside of the can wall. Q

4. In a can vacuum filling machine,.the combination of a rotary filling head unit kfor holding l a can to be vacuumzed and filled, and means for rpivotally movable part equalizing the air pressures on the interior and exterior of the can during such vacuumizing and lling to prevent distortion of the can walls,

Asaid equalizing means including complementary members having sealing engagement with side walls of a held can to provide a closed vacuum chamber partially dened by the said can side walls.

5. In a vacuum lling machine for cans, the combination of cooperating movable and fixed parts adapted to hold a can to be lled, said movable part being mounted for pivotal movement towards and away from the side wall of the can, means for swinging said pivotally movable part towards and away from the side wall of the can,.means for closing off the open end of said can, said movable and fixed parts together with said can defining a closed chamber, and means for vacuumizing said chamber.

6. In a vacuum filling machine for cans, the combination of relatively movable and iixedparts adapted to surround an open end can and to define a chamber, said movable part being mounted for pivotal movement towards anclawayv from the side wall of the can, means for swinging said towards and away from the side wallgof the can, means for closing oi the open end'of said can, and means including said can surrounding. chamber for balancing the pressure. exteriorly and interiorly of said can.

7. In a vacuum lling machine for cans, the

ycombination of relatively movable jaws adapted to surround an open end can and to define a chamber, means for closing off the open end of said can, means for vacuumizing said chamber and the interior of said container, and valve means for cutting ofi said vacuum connection from the interior of 4said containerprior to lling the same.

8. In a vacuum filling machine for cans, the combination of relatively movable jaws adapted to contain an open end can and to define a chamber on the outside of said can, means for closing off the open end of said can, means for vacuumizing said chamber, and valve means for cutting oi the vacuum connection from said chamber.

9. In a vacuum filling machine for cans, the combination of cooperating clamping jaws adapted to engage the exterior of a can and to define a chamber, means for vacuumizing said chamber,

valve means for controlling the said Vacuumization of said chamber and means affected by the presence of a said can in said jaws for actuating said valve means. y

10. In a vacuum filling machine for cans, the combination of a pair of clamping jaws adapted to hold a can to be vacuumized and lled and to dene a chamberA on the outside of said can, means for vacuumizing said can surrounding chamber, and means associated with the said jaws for venting said chamber following the vacuumizing and iilling of said can.

1 1. In a vacuum lling machine for cans, the combination of a pair of clamping jaws for temporarily defining a chamber around the outside wall of an open top can, means for closing oi the open top of said can, and means forlconnecting said surroundingA chamber and the interior of saidcan with a common source of vacu` um for simultaneously vacuumizing both thev interior of said can and the interior of said chamber to balance the pressures existing interiorly and exteriorly of said can to prevent its collapse and distortion.

l2. In a vacuum filling machine for cans, the combination of cooperating clamping jaws adapted to engage the exterior of a can and to define a chamber, means for vacuumizing said chamber, valve means for controlling the said vacuumization of said chamber, devices operable by a said can in said jaws for opening said valve means to effect the said vacuumization of said cham` ber, and an actuating member for tripping said device to close said valve means prior to the removal of'said can from said jaws.

RONALD E. J. NORDQUIST. 

